City lawyer with toddlers can't cope

[RosieIrene]

I work FT at a city firm and have two dd 1 and 3. Have a full time daily nanny but still can't cope. Work all day, come home and put kids to bed and work all evening to make billable target or have to go to client functions. So stressed out that on weekend just want to sit in garden with kids and do nothing. Can't sleep, can't talk to anyone. How do people manage?

Honoria - Mozhe hasn't got the faintest idea what SAHMs do... don't get upset about it...

She managed to give me an original suggestion earlier today - that I take my daughter to the bookshop so that she could choose a book for herself... Can she really, truly think that I don't take my 2.7 daughter to the bookshop? And, if she does, I wonder what on earth she does with her own children...

thenewgirl - thank you

I think people get completely worked up about the middle position and take it as criticism of both WOHMs and SAHMs... Maybe I'm in the worst of both worlds

Anna.

I've taken a breath......

(COV: I started amoxicillin this morning, 3 times a day. The pain has decreased massively since yesterday, when I had the dressing done, still feeling vaguely rubbish though and worried I have to have it done again... thank you so much for replying )
sorry!

Give it another 24hours and if no better give them another call.

Sorry for the hijack.

I always agree with anna8888, even when just lurking! -end up just lurking normally because anna8 says it all for me!

It's a shame it ends up like this, but to the op. sahm-ing is definatley an option if you are struggling with working.

for me when someone suggested I sah, I had no idea what to expect, but when I did 'jack it all in' I couldnt believe how great it was, for ages I felt like I had been let in on a secret that I knew nothing of before because being a sahm you ARE able to have a very rewarding, exciting and full-filling life (all words usually associated with working) you get out of it what you put in.

I do miss my career (a bit) and I will go back to it one day, but I sure don't miss the feeling that you have reminded me of.

preggerspoppet - join in, please . Sometimes I feel a bit lonely and, although I believe in my own position (that the real issue is working out your own family's priorities, and all families are different), I don't often get much feeling that anyone else does...

thank you COV
sorry for the hijack.

PP - you say that despite the fact that the OP has said "I have always enjoyed my job and have worked hard to get where I am and know myself well enough to know that I would not be happy staying at home."

For that reason, the majority of posters are being supportive of her choice to WOTH, with practical solutions which might enable theOP to balance better her home/work life.

soapbox - all the suggestions as to how the OP can reduce her stress while continuing to work are very valuable, and valid.

But I still think that it is also a valid option for the OP's consideration to give up working. The OP needs to consider ALL possible life scenarios, with all their pros and cons.

Anna - but she says that she doesn't want to!

I cannot therefore see any merit in suggesting that as a solution.

soapbox, the point was that I struggled the same as the op an at the same time I felt I didn't want to stop working.

until someone convinced me.

and I am very very greatful.

Message withdrawn

littlelapin's is best:

Xenia - Batman
Mozhe - Robin
Anna8888 - The Joker?

OR (I prefer this)

Xenia - Dangermouse
Mozhe - Penfold
Anna8888 - Baron Silas Greenback

Oh Cod - just the usual.

Someone posts saying they are finding it hard to balance work and home life, but would be unhappy at home.

Cue WOTH vs SAHM debate whilst the majority of posters try to give the OP some support and tips as to how to redress the balance a bit.

oh dino, what's wrong with ds3?

Message withdrawn

dinosaur - just a quick question - is your DH a SAHD?

As a SAHM I never, ever telephone my partner during the working day unless it is a serious emergency I have no control over (stepsons haven't turned up and are at large in Paris). I think it's my job to deal with that stuff and not bother him.

Maybe I'm wrong.

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn

PP - she says she would be unhappy at home

She sounds an intelligent person who has considered SAH but dismissed it, as it would make her unhappy.